Kindred Spirits

Old Friends

    Heads turned to look at me as I pulled up on a sleek black motorcycle that was unlike any other brand currently on the road. Pulling my helmet off of my head, I made my way to the small gathering of superheroes and one detained demigod.

  "Sorry I'm late, wasn't looking forward to the reunion," I let out a dry smile, though my glare at Loki is anything but friendly. "First time seeing you in centuries and you decide to enslave the planet? Really?"

  He attempted to speak through the muzzle, with little success. "Yeah, yeah, prove yourself and all that jazz, but did you forget about the whole 'immortal warrior' thing? That reminds me," I looked at everyone standing and listening to the conversation, "Mention anything about me or my friends and I promise that there is nowhere secure enough that will keep us out when we come after you."

  Stark let out a scoff while stepping in my direction. "What makes you think-" "Anthony Edward Stark, I would advise you not to finish that sentence. Behind you and Pepper Potts, I am currently the largest shareholder in Stark Industries, and I'm not above bankrupting your company if you don't keep quiet."

  He had turned a rather interesting shade of grey, closing his mouth and stepping back in line next to Bruce. "Anyone else?" Everyone gave mute nods as they carefully avoided my gaze.

  "Well, if that's all, Thor, you can probably head back to Asgard, tell Frigga I said hi," He gave me a solemn nod before turning towards Loki, holding out a device that would take them back home using the Tesseract. Thor turned the handle, opening a portal that sucked them through before closing.

  "Who the hell is Frigga?" Tony finally worked up the courage to speak again. "His mom," I shrugged before turning to Steve.

  "How do you feel about going on a trip with me?" 

..........................

  The quinjet dropped us off on the outskirts of D.C. I led Steve through the streets, finally pulling up in front of a retirement home. We parked and were heading towards the entrance when I spoke up. 

  "I wasn't sure how much information SHIELD had given you regarding everyone from back then," I looked over to see his face darken, looking down at the floor as we paused for a second.

  "They gave me a folder on everyone, but I could never make it past Buck." 

  My shoulders tensed as a small lump settled in my throat. "Phillips was first, his ornery old ass. About 10 years after the war, I made sure he wasn't alone. The Commandos held a reunion every year on the anniversary, I kept up with them through letters, went to some of their weddings even. Their families knew, kept it a secret, let me see them when the time finally came. Jones's grandson will check in every once and a while, he joined up with SHEILD a few years back."

  I signed us into the visitor sheet, having been here enough times that the staff knew me on sight, though they were slightly starstruck at the sight of Steve. I led us through the halls, waiting until we were far enough from the desk to continue talking. "The SSR was turned into SHEILD after the war ended, founded by Peggy and Howard. Howard and his wife Maria died in 1991, supposed car accident, but I suspect foul play, seeing as a highly valuable and classified item went missing from the trunk of the car. Peggy became the Director of SHIELD in 1970, which she did until she retired at the turn of the century."

  The elevator dinged as we arrived at the top floor, reserved for the more influential residence with a separate staff funded by the residents themselves. I led him to a door, knocking softly before slowly opening the door. I took a peak inside before motioning Steve to stay at the door.

  "I've got a visitor for you, honey, are you alright to take visitors?" She nodded as her frail hand grasped mine and I gave her a soft smile as I called out, "You can come in."

  The second they laid eyes on each other felt like a moment suspended in time, and I could tell that Steve was feeling everything he had felt in the 40's all over.

  "Steve?" Her other hand came up to cover her mouth as tears began to sparkle in her eyes. He stepped over to the bed and sat in the chair opposite me without taking his eyes off of her, as if he was scared she would disappear. "Peggy?"

  She nodded while letting out a laugh, letting go of my hand to grasp his. I could see that he had accepted that this was real when he started crying. "I thought-" he cut himself off with a sob, hunching over as he lost it. I made my way over to him, rubbing his back while Peggy kissed his hands.

  "Sorry to say that we might not be able to have that dance after all, Steven," she joked, though I didn't understand the reference. Steve, however, clearly did, letting out a watery chuckle as he collected himself.

  "I'm so late, I'm sorry I couldn't come sooner," He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, and she closed her eyes to savor it. I let out a small smile, though it quickly faded as Peggy reopened her eyes and looked at Steve like she was seeing him for the first time in decades.

  "Steve?" she breathed out a short chuckle of surprise. I felt Steve tense slightly, and I placed a firm hand on his shoulder to stop him from speaking.

  "I brought him by for a quick visit," I flashed a pained smile, though she paid it no mind.

  "What a wonderful surprise, I apologize, I'm not at my best right now," her hands fluttered over her face as if concerned that she wasn't wearing makeup.

  "Don't worry about that, we stopped in to say hi before we go on some business," I tapped Steve to indicate that we should go, "It's always wonderful to see you, lovely."

  I leaned down, kissing her on the cheek, motioning behind my back for Steve to do the same. I dragged him towards the door, calling back goodbyes to Peggy as I shut the door. The silence in the hallway was heavy before I turned to look at Steve. I waved at him to follow me to the elevator, waiting until the doors closed.

  "She has dementia, some days are better then others, but for the past few years, she's been floating in a state of mental impermanence. She's gotten used to being here, but she can't remember any staff members, doctors, barely even remembers her great niece. It's easier for her to remember people that were in her life a long time ago, but most of them are dead. I've been coming here to ease the loneliness, and now you can visit too."

  We were quiet as we signed out, reaching our respective bike as I gave him some time to mull over this.

  "Steve," I called, his eyes coming up to meet mine, filled with sorrow, "I'll be here whenever you need me, take some time to yourself, I know someone that could help you out if you ever wanna talk about it. Hell, at this point, you think I'd be an expert on grief, but it never gets easier."

  He was quiet as I reached out and pulled him into a hug. "I'm here every other Wednesday, you can come with me to start so I can ease you into it."

  He nodded gently, reciprocating the hug. "Thank you."